Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
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Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Mar. 12 - Cascade Valley Trail (Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead, Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge - 6km; Mar. 8 - Spray River Trail West, Spray River Trail East, Goat Creek Trail; Mar. 7 - Redearth Creek Trail, Cascade Valley Trail (Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek); Mar. 6 - Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails, Sundance Canyon Trail, Healy Creek Trail.
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Not Maintained | 17-03-2024: Tracksetting has ended for the season; | Trail details |
Easy | Spray River Winter: West Trail | Fair. | 08-03-2024: No dogs allowed; Double trackset classic and skate; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Spray River Winter: East Trail | Fair. | 08-03-2024: No dogs allowed; Single trackset classic; Flat packed; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Sundance Winter Trail | Poor. | 06-03-2024: Double trackset classic and skate; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Easy | Healy Creek Winter Trail | Fair. | 06-03-2024: Single trackset classic; Flat packed; | Trail details |
Easy | Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Fair. | 12-03-2024: No dogs allowed; Double trackset classic and skate; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Good. | 12-03-2024: No dogs allowed; Double trackset classic and skate; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Good. | 07-03-2024: Single trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Moderate | Goat Creek Winter Trail | Fair. | 08-03-2024: No dogs allowed; Single trackset classic and skate; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Moderate | Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Fair. | 17-03-2024: Tracksetting has ended for the season; Icy sections; Snowmobile packed; | Trail details |
Moderate | Redearth Creek Winter Trail | Good. | 14-03-2024: Single trackset classic; Flat packed; No dogs allowed; Avalanche debris on trail; Avalanche risk, use caution; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Tunnel Mountain Drive - Winter | Good. | 17-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Easy | Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Moderate | Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Moderate | Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Good. | 17-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Moderate | Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Winter conditions. | 17-03-2024: Sections of deep snow; Snowshoes recommended; | Trail details |
Moderate | Ink Pots Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Fenland Winter Trail | Icy | 18-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Easy | Marsh Winter Loop | Good. | 18-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Wet and muddy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Easy | Spray Winter Connector | Good. | 17-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Easy | Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Easy | Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Moderate | Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Moderate | Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Avalanche risk, use caution. | 17-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; Stay on trail; | Trail details |
Moderate | Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Good. | 17-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Variable conditions. | 17-03-2024: Studded tires recommended; Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Spray River East Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 17-03-2024: Studded tires recommended; Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Sundance Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 17-03-2024: Studded tires recommended; Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Moderate | Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 17-03-2024: Studded tires recommended; Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Moderate | Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Variable conditions. | 17-03-2024: Studded tires recommended; Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Moderate | Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Variable conditions. | 17-03-2024: Studded tires recommended; Compact snow; Icy sections; Sections of deep snow; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Mountain Lookout | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Snow covered; Icy sections; Slushy sections ; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
Easy | Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Snow covered; Icy sections; Slushy sections ; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
Easy | Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Snow covered; Icy sections; Slushy sections ; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
Moderate | Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Snow covered; Icy sections; Slushy sections ; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
Easy | Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Snow covered; Icy sections; Slushy sections ; Skier tracked; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Lake Louise Creek | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Difficult | Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 15-03-2024: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Avalanche danger beyond reaching the lake; | Trail details |
Easy | “Highline” trail to Paradise Creek | Caution. | 15-03-2024: Avalanche Risk rated as Simple Class 1 terrain - at km 1, the trail crosses the runout zone of an avalanche path which rarely runs; Unmaintained trail; Deadfall on trail; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Moderate | Mirror Lake, via Lake Agnes Trail | See comment section | 15-03-2024: Avalanche risk: Sections of this trail cross avalanche terrain. Beyond Mirror Lake, the trail is rated as Challenging Class 2 for avalanche exposure and travel requires appropriate avalanche training and equipment; Cleats recommended; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Laggan's Loop | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-03-2024: Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Springtime temperatures have resulted in soft snow conditions during warming periods and hard, icy conditions overnight, early morning, or in shady areas. Recent tracksetting: Mar 15: Bow River Loop; Campground Loop; Moraine Lk Road & Great Divide (skate lanes only); Upper & Lower Tramline; Townsite. Mar 14 - Pipestone; Hector; Drummond; Merlin. Mar 12 - Moraine Lake road. Mar 11 - Great Divide; Lower Telemark. No parking on roadways. If parking is full at Moraine Lake or the Great Divide please leave your vehicle at the Upper Lake Louise parking lot and access via Upper Tramline.
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Moraine Lake Road | See comment section | 15-03-2024: Avalanche risk: Beyond the viewpoint the trail crosses large avalanche paths.; Double trackset classic and skate; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Moderate | Fairview Loop | Poor. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Skier tracked; Tracksetting has ended for the season; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
Easy | Lower Tramline | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
Easy | Upper Tramline | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; | Trail details |
Moderate | Lake Louise Loop | Poor. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Slushy sections ; Skier tracked; Tracksetting has ended for the season; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Difficult | Upper Telemark | Poor. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Skier tracked; Tracksetting has ended for the season; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
Easy | Great Divide Trail | See comment section | 15-03-2024: Great Divide trail CLOSED west of the archway due to fire fuel reduction project in effect Nov 20 - late March. Smoke from debris pile burning possible in area. ; Trail will not be maintained west of the Great Divide arch winter 2023/2024.; No dogs allowed; Double trackset classic and skate; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Easy | Peyto Trail | Poor. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Skier tracked; Tracksetting has ended for the season; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
Easy | Lower Telemark | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Single trackset classic; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
Easy | Campground Loop | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Compact snow; Double trackset classic and skate; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Bow River Loop | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Single trackset classic; Please walk, snowshoe or fat bike beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Townsite | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Moderate | Pipestone Loop | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Drummond | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Hector | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Easy | Merlin | Variable conditions. | 15-03-2024: Freeze / thaw cycle; Icy sections; Single trackset classic; Please walk or snowshoe beside tracks set, not on tracks; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered with icy sections. | 15-03-2024: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Snow covered; Trekking pole(s) recommended; | Trail details |
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